THE NAME
Kitanica is a word derived from "chitin" (pronounced Kǝi•tin), a key structural component of insect exoskeletons. Due to the overbuilt nature of our designs, we decided it best described our mission to make the most functional and durable gear possible.THE COMPANYKitanica is a family owned and operated business run by Beej Cronin, his brother Chris Cronin and their cousin Leonard Riccio. Beej Cronin is Chief of Design, while Len Riccio is Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, and Chris Cronin serves as Chief Marketing Officer. These three partners grew up together on the East Coast and have worked side-by-side for a lifetime on hundreds of different projects, constructing everything from a 2-bedroom home to tennis ball cannons.

Kitanica was originally formed in Brooklyn, NY in 1995 and moved to San Francisco in 1997. There, Adam Savage of the Discovery Channel's Mythbusters started wearing his Kitanica MARK IV on national television, and the world became aware of the remarkably distinctive utilitarian products Kitanica was producing.

MADE IN THE U.S.A.Kitanica proudly makes all of its products in the United States using domestically produced materials. Much of the production is done in-house in Northern California at our Oakland headquarters.